Neusiedler Lake and its climate

Neusiedler Lake, at 37km long, is the largest steppe lake in central Europe, and the surrounding nature reserve is protected as an area of natural beauty. If you stand on the northern bank, you cannot see the southern shores on the horizon. The large lake not only serves as a paradise for natural birds and water-sports enthusiasts; but also, more importantly, as a climate regulator.

During the autumn months, as the temperature on the land cools, the water in the lake holds in the warmth for longer, and in turn keeps the surrounding vineyards warm, thus creating a mini-climate and extending the ripening season for the grapes. The result is that even the late-ripening varieties achieve the desired sugar and quality levels for noble sweet wines (Prädikatsweine).

The natural phenomenon behind the top-sweet wines of Burgenland is the extraordinary marriage of the Neusiedler Lake and the ‘pannonian’ climate (hot summers, long and mild autumns and cold winters). Rust is the only town to own a part of the Lake, which has many advantages. The water enters the Lake via underground springs, that jet warm and cold water into the Lake. Annual rainfall lies at just 500mm per year.

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